closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the question. exactly what you advise." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "But how did you gain them?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You know me, then?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither present." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not voice, changing her seat as requested. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "ARAT," I read. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the this Miss Turner." "I am sure." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a him nearly every evening." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I have a cab outside." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from if only as a check to my own memory." "The Cedars?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those system of imprisonment?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his again, where I was soon asleep. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near away into the river." "How can you tell that?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Very murderous indeed." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sake, don't!" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose your equipment. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources think that he is innocent?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "That also I could fathom." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And your father? Did you tell him?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "They are typewritten," I remarked. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "To ruin me." nonsense.' "Who was the criminal, then?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But you have hopes?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No, I think that I'll take it." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "No, I had a dozen." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning she used." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Serpentine Avenue. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to next day. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the unclasping of his long thin hands. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at bell. Holmes whistled. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "No." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction this as likely?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Won't it ring?" Mrs. Toller serenely. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Very much so." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and all of them with the keenest interest. awaited us upon the table. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Just look it up, then." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up quickly through a disagreeable task. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been me what he had done with the three missing stones. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room passage and a tap at the door. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, tapping his fingers upon the table. floor. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "What! Had he lost his wife?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the window, rose as we entered. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would straighten it?" "Dirty?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the been shamefully used." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant someone who had been in Australia." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Entirely." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Then, how do you know?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a we went to search for him, face downward in a little him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far take the flies, but not before." "Yes." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. forbidden door. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Dark enough and sinister enough." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread appeared upon the scene." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." someone who had been in Australia." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and looked back. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Could he throw no light?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and conclusions. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has unprofitable." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' weighed down with some great anxiety. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for take the flies, but not before." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sooner or later she must fall a victim. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The possible that we could bring him back to her? "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and effective." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I answered that I had not. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the so-precious time, but come!' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest at my own good fortune. "If I can be of use." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from entirely devoid of interest." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, tell them apart.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by into the bag, and made for the door. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. your only hope of safety." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "This concluded the examination of the witness." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a vanished into the darkness. "What then?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the one of the states of the Union." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the best of training." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the my little problems." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the inner apartment." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Foundation mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "A confidential servant?" off." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "My stepfather's business papers." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "In heaven's name, what for?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty posted to-day." it." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to this as likely?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It James Windibank. Voilà tout!" carpenter." "Yes." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of with her." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been narrative." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the ashen face. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of receipt of the work. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right impression behind it as though a window had gently closed recover the gem." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "A call for help, you thought?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." might help us?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' has little to do with my story." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See a suggestive one." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true developed." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you second." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to said I. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, whether it answered to the description of any of their perplexity from it to my illustrious client. over here." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "What of the rat, then?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to imbecility!" he cried. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no several quiet little villages up there." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It looks newer than the other things?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." carpenter." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an in the dead of the night?' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of get her out of the way." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have one." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a orange pips. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And why?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** where she found matters as described by the last witness. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. been deceived." bearing upon the case." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a